xeljanz

Important safety information

Serious Infections : Avoid use of XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) during an active serious infection, including localized infections. ( 5.1 ) • Gastrointestinal Perforations : Promptly evaluate patients at increased risk for gastrointestinal perforation who present with new onset abdominal symptoms. ( 5.6 ) • Hypoglycemia in Patients with Diabetes : Consider increased monitoring of blood glucose; advise patients with diabetes to notify their healthcare provider if they develop signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia. ( 5.8 ) • Laboratory Monitoring : Recommended due to potential changes in lymphocytes, neutrophils, hemoglobin, liver enzymes and lipids. ( 5.9 ) • Vaccinations : Avoid use of live vaccines concurrently with XELJANZ or XELJANZ XR. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Serious Infections Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur with XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets). Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients receiving XELJANZ. The most common serious infections reported with XELJANZ included pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cellulitis, herpes zoster, bronchitis, septic shock, diverticulitis, gastroenteritis, appendicitis, and sepsis . Among opportunistic infections, tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, esophageal candidiasis, pneumocystosis, multi-dermatomal herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus infections, BK virus infection, and listeriosis were reported with XELJANZ. Some patients have presented with disseminated rather than localized disease, and were often taking concomitant immunomodulating agents such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. In the UC population, treatment with XELJANZ tablets 10 mg twice daily was associated with greater risk of serious infections compared to 5 mg twice daily. Additionally, opportunistic herpes zoster infections (including meningoencephalitis, ophthalmologic, and disseminated cutaneous) were seen in patients who were treated with XELJANZ tablets 10 mg twice daily. Other serious infections that were not reported in clinical studies may also occur (e.g., coccidioidomycosis). Avoid use of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. The risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to initiating XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients: • with chronic or recurrent infection • who have been exposed to tuberculosis • with a history of a serious or an opportunistic infection • who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses; or • with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Interrupt XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR if a patient develops a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis. In patients who develop a new infection during treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, promptly complete diagnostic testing appropriate for an immunocompromised patient; initiate appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and monitor the patients closely. Caution is also recommended in patients with a history of chronic lung disease, or in those who develop interstitial lung disease, as they may be more prone to infections. Risk of infection may be higher with increasing degrees of lymphopenia and consideration should be given to lymphocyte counts when assessing individual patient risk of infection. Discontinuation and monitoring criteria for lymphopenia are recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.3 , 2.4 , 2.5) ]. Tuberculosis Evaluate and test patients for latent or active tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to and per applicable guidelines during administration of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to administration of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed, and for patients with a negative test for latent TB but who have risk factors for TB infection. Consultation with a physician with expertise in the treatment of TB is recommended to aid in the decision about whether initiating anti-TB therapy is appropriate for an individual patient. Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of TB, including patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy. Treat patients with latent TB with standard antimycobacterial therapy before administering XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Viral Reactivation Viral reactivation, including cases of herpes virus reactivation (e.g., herpes zoster), were observed in clinical studies with XELJANZ. Postmarketing cases of hepatitis B reactivation have been reported in patients treated with XELJANZ. The impact of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR on chronic viral hepatitis reactivation is unknown. Patients who screened positive for hepatitis B or C were excluded from clinical trials. Perform screening for viral hepatitis in accordance with clinical guidelines before starting therapy with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. The risk of herpes zoster is increased in patients treated with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR and appears to be higher in patients treated with XELJANZ in Japan and Korea. 5.2 Increased Risk of Mortality Increased risk of mortality may occur with XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets). Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 50 years of age and older, with at least one cardiovascular risk factor treated with XELJANZ tablets 5 mg or 10 mg twice a day had a higher observed rate of all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiovascular death, compared to those treated with TNF blockers in a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study (RA Safety Study 1). The incidence rate of all-cause mortality per 100 patient-years was 1.23 for XELJANZ tablets 10 mg twice a day, 0.88 for XELJANZ tablets 5 mg twice a day, and 0.69 for TNF blockers [see Clinical Studies (14.6) ] . Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily (or XELJANZ XR 22 mg once daily) dosages are not recommended for the treatment of RA, PsA, AS, or pcJIA [see Dosage and Administration (2.3 , 2.4) ] . For the treatment of UC, use XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration needed to achieve/maintain therapeutic response [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . 5.3 Malignancy and Lymphoproliferative Disorders Malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorders may occur with XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets). Malignancies, including lymphomas and solid cancers, were observed in clinical studies of XELJANZ [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Other malignancies were observed in XELJANZ clinical studies and the postmarketing setting, including, but not limited to, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. In RA Safety Study 1, a higher rate of malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)) was observed in patients treated with XELJANZ tablets 5 mg or 10 mg twice a day compared with TNF blockers. The incidence rate of malignancies (excluding NMSC) per 100 patient-years was 1.13 for XELJANZ tablets 10 mg twice a day, 1.13 for XELJANZ tablets 5 mg twice a day, and 0.77 for TNF blockers. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk [see Clinical Studies (14.6) ]. Lymphomas and lung cancers, which are a subset of all malignancies in RA Safety Study 1, were observed at a higher rate in patients treated with XELJANZ tablets 5 mg twice a day and XELJANZ tablets 10 mg twice a day compared to those treated with TNF blockers. The incidence rate of lymphomas per 100 patient-years was 0.11 for XELJANZ…